'Desperate Housewives' scoop: Major character dies!

EW has learned exclusively that a major character will meet her (or his) demise in an episode of Desperate Housewives that’s currently shooting in Burbank, Calif.

The cast just learned about the shocking death this week. ABC won’t spill details — we don’t know if it’s one of ladies or one of the husbands — but the pivotal passing will air in March.

Though the actor obviously won’t appear in the much-anticipated finale, at least he or she will be available for pilot season. Many pilots have already been ordered for fall 2012 consideration and casting has begun.

Production on the final season of Desperate Housewives doesn’t wrap until late April for the finale in May.

While talking to reporters earlier this month in Pasadena, Calif., creator Marc Cherry was loathe to give away secrets about the final few episodes other than saying that he hoped to pay homage to characters who had been there before. He did want some things to stay messy for the finale that Cherry admits to having planned seven and a half years ago.

“We don’t want to tie up every loose end,” admitted executive producer Bob Daily. ”We want it to look like life goes on, on Wisteria Lane.”